WFTX in Cape Coral, FL will add an extra hour to the front of its morning newscast beginning in January. Unlike many stations around the country, though, the Journal Broadcast-owned Fox-affiliate will not be expanding its newscast to 4:30 a.m. Instead WFTX has opted for a more humane 5:00 a.m. start time.

Earlier this month, WFTX added Lisa Spooner (left), who’s known for being somewhat of a morning news specialist. She will head up the station’s new 5:00 a.m. newscast, drawing on her experience as an anchor and managing editor for KYTX‘s morning news show in Tyler, TX and as a guest host for Acme Communications’ syndicated morning show “The Daily Buzz.”

“We are very excited to have someone of Lisa’s energy, warmth and experience on the ‘Fox 4 Rising’ anchor desk,” said Eric Maze, WFTX’s news director.
WFTX’s “Fox 4 Rising” currently runs from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. with the syndicated lifestyle show “Better” running as its 5:00 lead-in.

“I can’t wait to begin the next step in my career at Fox 4,” Spooner said about her move to the Cape Coral-Fort Myers-Naples market. Her morning debut will be on January 3rd.